Comparative analysis between condom use clusters and risk behaviours among Portuguese university students

Abstract

Análise comparativa entre clusters de uso de preservativo e comportamentos de risco em estudantes universitários portuguesesComparative analysis between condom use clusters and risk behaviours among Portuguese university students AbstractThe research on condom use has been focused on high-risk individuals, paying less attention to those who have moderate risk or safe sexual conducts. In order to design accurate interventions, potential differences among the condom use behavior groups must be considered. The goal was to assess possible differences in individuals presenting different types of risk behavior. 140 heterosexual university students answered a self-reported questionnaire about their sexual history, condom use habits, sexual self-esteem, sexual satisfaction, sexual control, attitudes towards condoms, self-efficacy to condom use, and emotions and feelings during sexual intercourse. A cluster analysis was conducted using the results about condom use and risk behaviors. Three groups with different risk levels emerged, presenting differences over sexual self-efficacy, attitudes towards condoms, socio-demographic variables, and sexual history. The results suggest the condom use inconsistency is highly associated with other risk behaviors but the contrary does not necessarily happens. Condom use consistent users also presented risk behaviors as smoking and drinking. The group differences suggest the risks were more affected by the combination of lack of skills with a negative attitude toward condoms than by contextual or personal variables. These differences sustain the need of an intervention adjusted to the individual's risk levels, since they differ on skills and beliefs that may hinder or promote the adoption of health behaviors.

Opinions about contraception and sexual behavior in southern Brazil’s college youth

“…The age of first sexual intercourse found in this study is close to those reported in other studies with college students (Gomes & Nunes, 2015;Moreira et al, 2018;Silva et al, 2014). The difference between genders, with college-aged women reporting later sexual initiation, has also been reported elsewhere (Alves et al, 2017;Quintana et al, 2016).…”

“…The difference between genders, with college-aged women reporting later sexual initiation, has also been reported elsewhere (Alves et al, 2017;Quintana et al, 2016). Other studies with college students observed that those with earlier sexual initiations were more likely to report inconsistent condom use (Gomes & Nunes, 2015;Moreira et al, 2018). These findings corroborate the observations that participants in this study that had their first sexual intercourse later were more likely to report consistent condom use in the previous year.…”

Condom-Protected Sex and Minority Stress: Associations with Condom Negotiation Self-Efficacy, “Passing” Concerns, and Experiences with Misgendering among Transgender Men and Women in Brazil

“…Condom-protected sex (CPS) refers to individual’s consistent use of condoms during sexual intercourse, while condom negotiation self-efficacy (CNSE) refers to the confidence to assertively ensure condom use during sexual intercourse, preventing unwanted non-use. The literature shows that CPS and CNSE are associated with consistency/regularity of use and act as protectors against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the cisgender population, that is, people whose gender identity is aligned with the sex designated at birth [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ].…”

Sexual behavior and practices of adolescent students in the city of Recife, Brazil

“…Generally, the sexual initiation among adolescents occurs between 14 to 19 years, but a pattern has been noted in recent years, the reduction of the age, especially for male adolescents 25 . However, the earlier it occurs the first sexual intercourse, the inconsistent use of condoms is higher generating a less positive attitude regarding their use and the ability to refuse unsafe sex and to communicate about condom use with their partners 25 .…”

“…However, the earlier it occurs the first sexual intercourse, the inconsistent use of condoms is higher generating a less positive attitude regarding their use and the ability to refuse unsafe sex and to communicate about condom use with their partners 25 .…”